Why Introverts Might Rule The World

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Just over a year ago, I heard author Susan Cain speak at the World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon.

She had recently published her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, and was discussing how introverts operate in a world that favors extroversion and why the internally-driven should be more highly-valued in society and the workplace.

Being one of these introverted people myself, I sat on the edge of my seat, riveted by the information she was sharing. I'd previously worked in public relations for 20+ years, and I knew what it felt like to pretend I was extroverted in an industry that favored outgoing, charismatic people.

I'd regularly experienced the energy it took to put myself out there in front of a group, to compete for an editor's attention and interest, or to serve as the smiling spokesperson for an organization.

What I loved about my former public relations career wasn't hobnobbing with high-profile people, reporters, or celebrities. It wasn't talking on camera or making speeches.

Yes I did plenty of those things, but they made me weary and unsettled. What I really loved was researching and writing the press releases and speeches, collaborating with my peers in small meetings, and brainstorming new ways to promote a product or make some other extroverted personality shine in the spotlight.

During the early years of my PR career, I couldn't identify why exactly I felt so uncomfortable with the “public” aspect of public relations. I just pushed through, knowing what was expected of me and observing how my extroverted peers were scrambling and competing for the spotlight. So I followed along.

It seems a lot of introverts do that — they fake extroversion.

They fake it because our society tends to reward extroversion and even suggest that introverts are not quite right in the head, they are shy or lacking self-c0nfidence. I love what Susan Cain says about our cultural attitudes  in answer to the question posed on an Amazon interview about why she wrote her book:

For the same reason that Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique in 1963. Introverts are to extroverts what women were to men at that time–second-class citizens with gigantic amounts of untapped talent. Our schools, workplaces, and religious institutions are designed for extroverts, and many introverts believe that there is something wrong with them and that they should try to “pass” as extroverts. The bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and, ultimately, happiness.

Thanks to Susan Cain and others who are writing and talking about the power of introverts, the tide may be turning. A new view is emerging that's no longer associated with the shy, reclusive loner who is too meek to stand up for himself or to reach for the golden ring.

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According to new research, it appears introverts possess qualities and strengths that are powerful and world-changing. Before I tell you why introverts might rule the world one day, let's make sure we understand more about them.

Introverts and extroverts

The traits of introversion and extroversion are foundational to the theories of personality type as first popularized by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. And virtually every other model of personality typing includes the traits of introversion and extroversion.

The two traits are generally viewed as a continuum, whereby individuals can possess qualities of both, with one being more dominant than the other. Even extremes of both traits do not always act according to their type, as I experienced personally in my former career.

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Introverts are focused more on internal thoughts, feelings and moods rather than seeking out external stimulation. Unlike extraverts who are energized by social interactions, introverts expend energy in social situations and can feel drained after spending time in a large group of people. They often need to “recharge” by spending a period of time alone.

Introverts tend to . . .

  • prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities;
  • prefer to express themselves in writing;
  • enjoy solitude;
  • care less about wealth, fame, and status less than their peers;
  • be good listeners;
  • avoid risk-taking;
  • enjoy engaging deeply in work with few interruptions;
  • prefer small scale interactions, with only a few close friends or family members;
  • prefer not to show or discuss their work with others until it's finished;
  • think before they speak.

(Excerpted from Susan Cain's “Quiet Quiz.”)

Will introverts rule the world?

Of course extroverts have many world-changing, positive qualities. Charisma, strong leadership skills, and a competitive spirit are qualities that have dominated our culture for the last hundred years or so.

Says Susan Cain, “Western society is based on Greco-Roman ideals of the person that can speak well, a rhetorical ideal. We have always been to some extent a society that favors action over contemplation. But this really reached a pitch when we moved from an agricultural society into the world of big business.”

Western culture transformed from a “culture of character” to a “culture of personality,” according to Cain, in which extroversion dominates and introversion is viewed as inferior or even pathological.

Recent research reveals that today’s workplace may be more suited to introverted, quiet leaders. Ray Williams, writing for Psychology Today, suggests, “The workplace is populated by increasing numbers of intelligent, knowledge workers, frequently in self-managing teams, particularly those of Generation Y. Many of these workers don’t see themselves as passive employees waiting for orders nor do they want to be controlled by an egocentric extroverted leader.”

Recent research by Francesca Gino of Harvard University and David Hoffman of the University of North Carolina, reveals introverted and extroverted leadership styles can be equally effective, but with different kinds of employees.

In his book, Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work, David Rock cites recent neuroscience research that shows effective leaders should focus on mentoring, empowering and developing people, behaviors more consistent with introverts than extraverts.

But even more interesting is the rise in entrepreneurship and how this might be favoring introverts.

“Our 2011 report on entrepreneurship in America shows that Americans are turning to business ownership in ever increasing numbers,” said Baruch College professor Edward Rogoff. “The number of Americans who are still actively in the workforce and are pursuing their own businesses has grown by 40 percent over the last two years. Today, more than one American in eight can be called entrepreneurs. There is simply no doubt that the future of the American economy resides with entrepreneurship.”

And entrepreneurship might be the perfect environment for introverted leaders. There's a growing movement which not only argues being an introvert shouldn't impede success, but also also that it benefits your business and your entrepreneurial aspirations.

Says leadership expert Lisa Petrilli, “I think introverts excel at creating and setting a vision for their company or product. Many people assume that the majority of CEOs – because they are the figureheads of their companies – are extroverts. In my experience, that has not been the case. Introverts – like a lot of entrepreneurs – tend to be creatively minded people who work well in innovative environments that allow them to dream up fantastic products and features. Early on, those people are great leaders because they’re comfortable communicating that vision to their small teams.”

Some of the most successful, wealthiest entrepreneurs — like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Google CEO Larry Page — are introverts and built their businesses using the introvert's most highly-valued skills — deep thinking, introspection, active listening, and quiet confidence.

As the world becomes more and more technologically-oriented, globally connected, and entrepreneurial, introverts will experience a new level of respect and influence. As science journalist Winifred Gallagher reminds, “The glory of the disposition that stops to consider stimuli rather than rushing to engage with them is its long association with intellectual and artistic achievement. Neither E=mc2 nor Paradise Lost was dashed off by a party animal.”

Of course the best scenario is one in which the party animals and the quiet thinkers of the world  respect the strengths and talents each bring to the table and work side by side toward common goals and achievements. The more freedom introverts have to contemplate solutions and ideas, the more opportunities will be available for extroverts to implement them.

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20 thoughts on “Why Introverts Might Rule The World”

  1. Yes. As the revolution turns around how introverts are viewed. We’ll be able to use and respect each other’s strengths.

    I hope you don’t mind Barrie if I pass this on to Susan.

  2. This is a fine and thoughtful piece which I will share on G+ and Facebook. Most of the entrepreneurs I have known have been more introversive than extroversive. I’m not sure that’s as true of the CEOs of large public companies, but it might be. The big mouths get more attention. One point bothers me, though. I don;t believe the “one in eight” number on entrepreneurs. I think people confuse “entrepreneur” with “freelancer,” or “contract employ,” or “self-employed.” If your business is just you providing your services, you’ve created nothing of value apart from yourself. That’s not an entrepreneur.

    Thanks for another fine essay.

    • Hi Rick,
      Thank you so much for your kind comments. I would probably agree that CEO’s of large public companies are probably more extroverts. I think that style has been rewarded and nurtured by corporate America. I’m not sure about the 1 in 8 statistic. This came from a study conducted by the university cited, but entrepreneur wasn’t qualified, at least that I could see in the research.

  3. Thanks for this post., Barrie. Much needed. And most psychology questionnaires try to force people into one category when we are actually all much more complex than that. All the best Rachel.

    • Yes we are so much more complex than any label. I totally agree Rachel. Most people have qualities of both types and express both types in different situations. There is value in the preferences and behaviors of both.

  4. This is such a wonderful article. I am one of those introverts.. Faking to be an extrovert..specially every time I have an exhibition. Not at all dealing very well with the fuzz of journalists and audience/public on opening days it tends to go a good 4-5 years between every time I exhibit my paintings. I live quietly in the woods surrounded by animals, both the wild and my domestic ones. Here I write, paint and otherwise enjoy the stillness and beauty of Mama Gaia far away from the noise created by man:)
    I truly enjoy this piece, Barrie, thank you…:)

    • You are so welcome Cheyenne. You daily life sounds lovely. Nature, animals, painting, peace. I guess we are called to the world every now and then to make an appearance. That’s not such a bad thing. It does stretch a muscle and remind us that there’s another world out there!

  5. Yes, us valuable introverts are underrated, for sure. One thing I wanted to comment on, is the notion that extraversion is faked by some introverts. As an introvert with many extraverted friends, I see the value of a degree of extraversion. I have therefore come to see it as one of many social skills which I have honed over the years. Unless you are pretending to be someone you are not, and probably making a dickhead of yourself, there is nothing wrong with putting on a little showmanship. I love it, and I don’t feel like i’m faking it at all. It’s learned, and I see it as stepping out of my comfort zone. Being out of your comfort zone without adequate reserves of energy and/or for too long will lead to exhaustion; as introverts well know. But hey, less is more. That is why an introvert’s brand of extraversion can be alluring. Hell, even extroverts are drained by others extraversion. Give me a quiet wine by the fireplace anyday…..

    • Very soundly stated Pete. All introverts need to practice some extroversion and stretch themselves. And it can be fun when you are more comfortable sitting behind the spotlight to be in front of it every now and then. But when you stay in an extroverted situation too long, it is totally draining. A good balance and a dose of self-awareness is key to enjoying who you are.

    • That’s what I like to read, fellow introvert. I’ve had enough of extroverts looking down on us introverts because of who we are. Shame on them.

  6. Hi Barrie,

    I realize each of us has a dominant personality trait that will be described as either Introvert or Extrovert…and the Myers Briggs personality types have been validated for many years.

    That said, as integrated adults, we can certainly pick and choose which dimensions of our personalities we can bring to bear in certain situations. Many of us are extroverts within our close circle…less so outside of it.

    I think we do better when we allow ourselves not to be boxed into a false dichotomy and allow whatever parts of us work best to come out at the right time.

  7. I really enjoyed this post, Barrie! I tend to gravitate to articles about being an introvert, because I feel that I fit that mold myself. Society loves the extroverts and many, especially children feel that something is wrong with them when they are not naturally chatty and outgoing. Susan Cain’s book has been eye opening for many and provides a better understanding of an introvert’s strengths and gifts. Thanks!

  8. As an introvert at school, where if you take five minutes to recharge after a massive group discussion you immediately get dubbed a ‘loner’, this piece is very encouraging for me. I was quite interested in that not wanting to show or discuss work or a project until it is finished is an introvert trait – I thought it was me being ridiculous. My father’s side of the family are all introverts and some have had to fake an extrovert personality. And when they did, I could easily see them struggling. Now I shall never fake extroversion. I am an introvert and happy about it.

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